Paying for a mobile phone unlock code online.

If you haven't managed to unlock your phone for free, an increasingly popular option is to buy a code online. There are a number of companies out there that provide this service. Although their prices are not generally cheaper than the high street, they offer an alternative that doesn't involve handing your phone over for days on end.

While many of these companies are reputable, be careful as there have been reports of scams and fraudsters so do be careful. As a general rule, if you shop around and you get a price that's too good to be true, it generally is. In this category are also included companies that advertise their services online and then ask you to call a premium-rate number to get your code. Our advice is to stay clear of these as they only stock a limited number of codes which are freely available elsewhere (see above), meaning that the majority of customers are left poorer but none the wiser.

Some of the best companies offer reasonable customer service and will give you full instructions on how to perform the procedure. However, prices are variable.

How do these companies get their codes? Much in the same way that operators get theirs. They are sourced indirectly from mobile phone companies and handset manufacturers.